Friday, May 29, 2009

OAHU RIDE: WAIKIKI to MAKAPUU


Eighteen mile bike ride with a great payoff! The ride goes east leaving Waikiki going around the outside of Diamond Head. Follow the road all the way to the Walalae golf course then go left to the highway. On the highway there is a lot of road noise but there is a nice shoulder for riding. This shoulder continues almost all the way to Hanama Bay. The real pay off is from Hanama Bay to Makapuu Point. Along this stretch the views are spectacular! Unfortunately the road is narrow and windy - not very bike friendly so be very careful here! For a great view of Makapuu and beyond take the lighthouse road to the lookout on top. The ride is uphill all the way from the parking lot to the lookout, but it is downhill the rest of the way! From there to Makapuu beach is a short ride but road is very narrow and windy. If you want to get back to Waikiki quickly you can hop on the bus from Sealife Park and be back in about 20 minutes.
(click on map to enlarge)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Swim Requiring a High Level of Etiquette

Trying to Fit in While Swimming at a Health Club in Osaka.....


* A locker just for shoes

* Slippers in the shoe locker

* A warning sign; directions for operating the locker

* A need to shower and, wear a bathing cap before entering the pool


Here is the story:


So a guy walks into a health club in Kobe, Japan - to go for a relaxing swim…

He is presented with not just a key but a separate metal tab. He is wondering “what do I do with this tab?” As it turns out, and every Japanese must know I’m sure, that the conventional key is for the shoe locker; the place where you put your street shoes (dirty), and the tab is for your clothes locker. But there is more… He has to figure out how to use the tab in the locker, because there is a key pad on the locker!

The secret is, and I’m sure that you will want to know this when you are faced with this situation, you put the tab in the slot in from of the locker, then, and ONLY, then enter the password of your choice which allows one to close the door. Oh, and don’t forget your password!

Now on to the pool. Be careful not to trip while wearing those Japanese sandals as they are 3 sizes too small! There are 3 more things that one must do before entering the pool, not counting changing into ones bathing suit; Hose oneself down in the shower, and make sure that one enters the pool in the correct lane! Oh, don’t forget to put ones swim cap on! Everyone wears a swim cap in Japan! But back to the lane. Someone that I know made the sorry mistake of entering the pool and commencing their swim in the MEMBERS ONLY lane! I’m told that they were kindly reminded that the lane was reserved for members only. Looking around, just as was suspected; they were the only one in not only the pool, but the entire pool area!

Friday, January 16, 2009

North Shore Oahu.. Surfs Up!

SURFS UP ON THE NORTH SHORE!
A bus trip from Waikiki to Haleiwa on the north shore. Then off on the bike to see the 12-15 foot waves at Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline. This short ride took me about 7 miles up the coast turning around at the Sunset Beach parking lot. Riding conditions were mostly good as a newer road provides about a 4 foot wide shoulder to ride on. This includes the segment up to Dole. Sunset Beach incorporates an stand alone bike trail segment. Back to Haleiwa for a quick lunch and up the grade to the Dole Pineapple visitor center. My reward was a Delicious Dole Whip. Total mileage; 25 miles.


Photo: Pipeline at about 12' face. Riders were observed entering the tube for about 5 seconds on two rides. Click on photo to blow up and get idea of wave size.